“We need to make sure that we’re taking that lovely energy from queer brunch or queer shows out into the world and standing up for queer people everywhere.” You need to vote for queer or progressive candidates that are going to support the queer people in the legislature,” Shirley said. To stand up when there is hate being spewed out in the world. “For people who are not in the queer community that come to queer events, it is important that if you come to a queer event where a drag performer is and you’re having a good time, when you go out into your daily life you need Yes, we’re all those things.”įor those who are not queer or not in the LGBTQ community but attend queer events such as Drag Brunch, Shirley emphasized how crucial it is to stand up when something not right is going on. We’re here to support you and to love you and to stand up for you and to fight for you. When addressing the LGBTQ community specifically, Shirley said, “These are your people. “And I think for the queer community, especially for queer youth, it’s important to know that there are people out here who have been living the life, who have been authentic, who are proud and contributing members to society.” I love the story that you are, that you’re telling, that your life is,” Shirley said. “We can be ourselves and we can be truly authentic. One of Shirley’s favorite mottos is, “I love that story.” To her, this motto or mantra is about being authentic and appreciating each person’s unique story and what they have to offer. READ: Drag Entertainer Dixie Krystals on How Drag Fosters Community And the more places queer people feel welcome to be themselves I think the better our world will be,” said Shirley. “I think a deeper message to Drag Brunch and drag shows is that queer people are welcome and accepted. Having such prevalence of drag in Denver is important not only because it brings light to the otherwise seemingly dark circumstances of our world, but it also gives people within the LGBTQ community a safe place to be. “Lots of people who do and perform drag are really pushing the boundaries of gender roles and becoming more mainstream with what we do.”Īccording to Shirley, there are upwards of 300 drag performers living and working in the Denver area. “Denver’s drag scene is varied and diverse there are all kinds of different things that are happening,” Shirley said. Many believe Denver’s drag scene is a fantastic place to be as its trajectory in a way mimics the growth and diversity of the city itself. “I also think it’s really fun because everyone has a smile on their face when a drag queen shows up.” I’m a happy, positive, fun-loving person, but when I dress as Shirley, we turn that up,” she said. “What I love about drag is that it takes my personality and then turns it up to like 11. “We’re having lots of positive fun, uplifting humor and a good time playing Bingo and celebrating everyone here together.” For her, drag is all about expression. “I just want everyone to have a really positive experience,” Shirley said. READ: 303 Style Profile – Inside Denver Drag Queen Yvie Oddly’s Offbeat Aesthetic That’s where it all comes from,” she said.įrom doing one show every three to four months to now doing two to three shows a week, Shirley has continued to steadily grow her following and make a name for herself within the Denver drag communities. Those are some names that are kind of out there, and then I was like, ‘oh, Delta Blow.’ And then it’s like, ‘oh, she’s been dealt a blow, she’s had a hard life.’ But of course, a Southern lady has to have three names so, Shirley Delta Blow. We started talking about the Mississippi, the Mississippi Delta, Delta Work and Delta Birch. “I wanted to be this sort of proper Southern lady. “For my talent in the pageant, I told the story of Steel Magnolias in four minutes using Barbie dolls as all the characters,” Shirley explained. Not only was the fundraiser event significant because Shirley walked away with the gold, but also because this was the place where she solidified her drag name, Shirley Delta Blow. “It turns out, I won the pageant, and that kind of started me down this road,” Shirley said. While Shirley had never done drag in this type of setting before, her background in theater along with a little nudge from her teammates gave her the confidence she needed to give the pageant a go - and she did not disappoint. To raise money to help fund the organization, the team decided to throw a big fundraiser pageant. Shirley’s journey into the drag world started when she began playing in the Colorado Gay Volleyball Association over a decade ago.
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